The Next Set Podcast

The Next Set Podcast | Season 2, Episode 2

Guest: Dr. Chyna Dixon | Performance Psychology, Mindset & the Power of Coaching

What separates someone who performs well in practice from someone who performs under pressure? How much influence do coaches, parents, and our environment have on confidence, resilience, and long-term success?

In Season 2, Episode 2 of The Next Set Podcast, Dr. Rehan Tahir sits down with Dr. Chyna Dixon, performance psychologist and founder of NOXID Mental Performance, for a conversation about the psychological side of performance, both in athletics and everyday life.

Drawing on her research, professional experience, and personal journey, Dr. Dixon shares insights into the challenges facing athletes, particularly minority collegiate athletes, and how expectations, stereotypes, and coaching environments can influence performance and well-being.

In this episode, we explore:

• Performance anxiety and why athletes sometimes struggle under pressure.

• The influence of parents, coaches, and expectations on youth athletes.

• Psychological safety, emotional regulation, and building confidence.

• Why great coaches focus on the process, not just the outcome.

• The impact of stereotypes and stigma on minority collegiate athletes.

• Mental performance beyond sports, including executives, professionals, and high-stress careers.

• Decision fatigue, burnout, cognitive performance, and psychological boundaries.

• Practical approaches to stress management, focus, and mental recovery.

One message from this conversation stands out: "Praise the process, not just the outcome."

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, business leader, or simply someone looking to perform better while managing life's demands, this episode offers perspectives worth considering.

Connect with Dr. Chyna Dixon

Instagram: @noxidmentalperformance

Website: https://www.noxidmentalperformance.com/

Email: [email protected]

About The Next Set Podcast

Hosted by Dr. Rehan Tahir, The Next Set Podcast explores human performance, health, fitness, coaching, and personal development through conversations with researchers, practitioners, and professionals who bring experience and different perspectives to the table.

Subscribe, share the episode, and join the conversation. We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Dr. Rehan Tahir and Dr. Sarah Gordon from @ThePhDJourneyUnplugged discuss their academic journeys, research, and the application of self-determination theory to understand motivation for physical activity.They also explore the impact of socioeconomic factors on exercise and the concept of human flourishing in the face of oppression. The conversation emphasizes the importance of physical activity, consistency, and self-determination in maintaining good health.It also explores the impact of physical activity on quality of life, aging, and the importance of self-care and grace. The discussion delves into the significance of structuring workouts, consistency, the power of small wins, and overcoming challenges. It concludes with a focus on the journey of growth and progress in life.Takeaways

• The importance of self-determination theory in understanding motivation for physical activity.
• The impact of socioeconomic factors on exercise and the concept of human flourishing in the face of oppression. Consistency and self-determination are essential for maintaining physical activity.
• Quality of life and aging are influenced by physical activity and self-care.

• 00:00 Introduction to Season Two
• 01:10 The PhD Journey Unplugged Podcast
• 03:01 Research and Academic Journeys
• 06:04 Self-Determination Theory
• 13:00 Barriers to Exercise and Motivation
• 17:58 Human Flourishing and Oppression
• 20:58 Mindset Shift and Exercise
• 21:49 Physical Activity in Early Life
• 22:48 The Importance of Physical Activity
• 24:07 Consistency and Self-Determination in Physical Activity
• 25:08 Quality of Life and Aging
• 29:56 Self-Care and Grace
• 30:27 Structuring Workouts and Consistency
• 35:51 The Power of Small Wins and Overcoming Challenges
• 41:51 The Journey of Growth and Progress

Why do people sabotage their own goals?

Why do some people stay stuck in fear, anxiety, unhealthy habits, or cycles of self-destruction even when they WANT to change?

In this episode of The Next Set Podcast, Dr. Rehan Tahir sits down with NLP coach and trainer Mary Ligon to discuss the subconscious mind, fear, anxiety, identity beliefs, self-sabotage, motivation, weight loss psychology, chronic stress, and behavior change.

Mary shares stories from decades of experience working with clients struggling with phobias, smoking, chronic pain, fear of flying, weight loss resistance, and limiting beliefs.

Dr. Tahir also shares his own experience overcoming a severe fear of flying and anxiety.

Topics include:

• NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
• Hypnosis & subconscious behavior
• Anxiety & fight-or-flight
• Fear of change

• Self-sabotage psychology
• Weight loss mindset
• Identity beliefs
• Chronic stress & mental barriers
• Fitness motivation & behavior change
• Why people stay stuck
• How mindset impacts physical health

If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, procrastination, fear, motivation, or consistency, this episode will challenge the way you think about change.

You can find Mary on her website: https://www.maryligonco.com/

🎙️The Next Set Podcast | Hosted by Dr. Rehan Tahir

🌐 Website: www.apextacticalathletics.com

🌐 Podcast: www.thenextsetpodcast.com

🌐 Website: www.rehantahir.com

📲 Instagram: @dr.rehantahir

What does it actually mean to "train like an athlete"?

In this episode of The Next Set Podcast, Dr. Rehan Tahir breaks down the real meaning behind athletic-style training and how evidence-based periodization can help everyday adults build strength, resilience, performance, and longevity.

Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s+, trying to lose fat, build muscle, improve functional fitness, or stay competitive in sports and life, this episode explains how structured programming can take you from deconditioned to high-performing without guesswork.

Topics covered:
• What periodization actually is• Macrocycles, mesocycles, and microcycles explained• General preparation vs hypertrophy vs strength vs performance phases• Why most people stay stuck in ineffective training cycles• How to build real-world athleticism safely• The role of mobility, strength, endurance, and recovery• How phased programming improves health, performance, and injury resilience

If you’re tired of random workouts and want a smarter system, this episode gives you the foundational framework.Train with purpose. Perform for life.

📅 Book a discovery call to build your custom performance system: www.rehantahir.com

📲 Instagram: https://instagram.com/dr.rehantahir

📲 Instagram: https://instagram.com/thenextsetpodcast🌐 Website: www.thenextsetpodcast.com

Celebrity nutritionist, bodybuilding champion, and supplement formulator Rehan Jalali joins Dr. Rehan Tahir on Next Set for a 30-year-deep conversation on what actually builds muscle, what's marketing noise, and the non-negotiables every serious lifter should be running.

This isn't fitness influencer talk. Rehan Jalali was the first person to bring creatine to the U.S. supplement market in 1995, has formulated 150+ products (including the first protein candy in 2001), trained at the University of Texas under powerlifting legends Jan and Terry Todd alongside Mark Henry, won Mr. Texas as a natural competitor, and has worked with Hollywood's biggest stars. Dr. Tahir digs into how he did it — and what he'd tell anyone trying to get serious results today.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

— Why "intensity builds immensity" still beats every new training trend— The three non-negotiables Rehan Jalali won't let any client skip— The real story on creatine, protein, and the kidney-damage myth— Why most fad diets (keto, carnivore, gluten-free) are repackaged ideas from 30+ years ago— How to think about supplement formulation, marketing, and what's actually worth your money— The South Asian genetics conversation almost no one in fitness is having

GUESTRehan Jalali — Celebrity nutritionist, biochemist, and supplement formulator. Mr. Texas. Author and product developer behind Abolean, Glucagon Lean Results, and dozens of category-defining sport nutrition products.Follow Him on Instagram: @sixpackdietplan

HOSTDr. Rehan Tahir — PhD, Health & Human Performance | NSCA CSCS, TSAC-F | NASM CESOnline coaching at Apex Tactical Athletics: [your link]Apply for 1:1 coaching: [your link]

If this episode hit, do me a favor — subscribe, leave a review, and share it with one lifter who needs to hear it. New episodes weekly on YouTube and Spotify.

#RehanJalali #NextSetPodcast #Creatine #Protein #Bodybuilding #FitnessPodcast #ApexTacticalAthletics #StrengthTraining #SupplementScience

Season 1, Episode 7 is now live!

In this episode of The Next Set Podcast, I sit down with Coach Alex Jamal for a conversation that cuts through the noise in the fitness industry.

We get into:mindset and consistency, why real results still come from discipline, the truth about GLP-1s and shortcuts, why muscle matters more as you age, how social media keeps recycling bad fitness advice, and why evidence-based coaching still wins.

Alex brings a rare combination of real-world coaching experience, competitive experience, and a deep respect for science.

This was a strong conversation on what actually works, what people keep getting wrong, and how to build a body and mindset that lasts.

A few takeaways:

You do not need perfection. You do need consistency. Nothing grows in your comfort zone.

And no supplement, fad, or shortcut replaces the work.

You can find Alex on IG @thetraineralex and @fitnessresultscoach or visit his website: https://www.fitnessresultscoach.com/

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Visit www.thenextsetpodcast.com

Tag someone who needs to hear this one.

#TheNextSetPodcast #AlexJamal #FitnessResultsCoach #EvidenceBasedFitness #StrengthTraining #NutritionCoach #MindsetMatters #GLP1 #FatLoss #MuscleMatters #TacticalAthletics #ApexTacticalAthletics

Guest: Chad CoyStrongman Athlete | Coach | Educator | Director of Business Development, Parisi Speed School

In this episode of The Next Set Podcast, Dr. Rehan Tahir sits down with Coach Chad Coy — strength coach, strongman athlete, educator, and Director of Business Development for Parisi Speed School.

Chad shares his journey from discovering strength training as a young athlete to building a career in performance coaching, education, and mentoring coaches around the world.

The conversation explores:

• Why strength training changes lives at any age

• The difference between training and coaching

• How speed, strength, and movement are skills that can be developed

• Why mastering the basics beats chasing advanced techniques

• The untapped opportunity in training older adults and seniors

• The role of confidence and belief in athletic and personal development

Chad also shares powerful lessons from decades in the field — including why every athlete and coach should hire a mentor, invest in education, and commit to continuous learning.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or someone who simply wants to train smarter and live stronger, this episode delivers practical insight and real-world perspective.

In this episode of The Next Set Podcast, Dr. Rehan Tahir sits down with Coach Jeremy Hare for a conversation on coaching, leadership, sports performance, and how the principles of great coaching extend far beyond athletics.

Jeremy shares his journey from athlete to youth and college coach, and how those lessons now shape the way he leads high-performing sales teams in the professional world.

They discuss the power of relationships, why attitude and effort still matter most, how failure builds confidence, and what it really means to lead people instead of just manage them.

This episode is for athletes, coaches, leaders, and anyone trying to improve performance, build trust, and bring out the best in others.

Topics covered include:

• The evolution of Jeremy’s coaching philosophy
• Why coaching is done in practice and management happens in the game
• Failure, feedback, and building resilience
• Adapting leadership style to different personalities
• Why great coaches create future leaders
• The importance of slowing down to improve performance

Jeremy is active on LinkedIn under his name, Jeremy Hare: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-hare-ms-143b964/

In this episode of the Next Step Podcast, Dr. Rehan Tahir sits down with Coach Jason Rosenblatt, founder of Ripped by Rosenblatt and creator of the Squat Harness.

Jason shares his journey from personal struggle and injury recovery into a career built around helping people get stronger, move better, and train with more confidence. They talk about his coaching philosophy, why strength training matters so much for long-term health, and how working with older adults and injured clients helped shape his approach.

The conversation also dives into the story behind the Squat Harness, how it was developed to make lower body training more accessible and versatile, and what Jason has learned from building both a coaching business and a product brand from the ground up.

If you are interested in practical fitness, injury-conscious training, muscle mass for healthy aging, and the mindset behind sustainable progress, this is a great episode to listen to.

Learn more at SquatHarness.com or you can follow Jason on Instagram for more training insights and product updates @rippedbyrosenblatt

Most people think stress is the problem.

It’s not.

Too little stress and you stay the same.
Too much stress and you break down.
The right dose and you adapt.

That’s how your body was designed.

General Adaptation Syndrome shows us the pattern: alarm, resistance, exhaustion. Hormesis shows us that small, controlled stress makes us stronger. Allostatic load reminds us what happens when we stack stress without recovery.

The workout isn’t what makes you stronger.
Recovering from it does.

The hard conversation isn’t what builds resilience.
Processing it does.

Stress plus recovery equals growth.
Stress minus recovery equals burnout.

If you feel exhausted, it’s not a character flaw. It’s likely a load management problem.

Your body is always adapting. The real question is:

Are you building upward
Or drifting toward exhaustion?

Listen to this episode and start managing your stress like you manage your training.

What’s one stressor in your life right now that needs better recovery?

#StressAndResilience #PerformanceHealth #Adaptation #StressManagement #TheNextSet